Different types of Horsetail embroidered products
Traditional costumes
-Clothing
Men’s clothing: In recent years, men’s clothing adorned with dragon or phoenix pattern embroideries has become the most popular attire among young men of the Shui ethic group. It has become a fashionable choice for family gatherings, visits, and important festivals.
Women’s clothing: Traditionally, Shui women wear Horsetail embroidered shoes during festivals, celebrations, and social visits. In recent decades, they made bold innovations by using Horsetail embroideries to decorate their garments, replacing the commercially produced lace trims used previously in their collars, lapels, cuffs and trouser hems. Shui women also make exquisite outfits adorned with various Horsetail embroidery patterns as valuable dowries for their daughters.
-Horsetail embroidered waistband
The exquisite Horsetail embroidered waistband showcases the exceptional skill of its artisan, typically young girls.. Constructed from homemade black fabric, the length of the waistband matches that of the upper garment. The upper front section features axe-shaped trapezoidal Horsetail embroidery patches. Within the trapezoid outline embroidered intricate traditional Shui patterns such as butterflies, flowers, and plants.
-Horsetail embroidered shoes
Horsetail embroidered shoes are treasured adornments cherished by Shui women of all ages. These shoes are meticulously crafted and primarily come in two styles: “Qiaotou” (upturned tip) and “Yuanbao Gai” (ingot-shaped tip).
The uppers of the shoes are embellished with intricate Horsetail embroidery featuring traditional Shui patterns. Equally exquisite are the Horsetail embroidered insoles that accompany the shoes. These insoles are often presented as tokens of affection by young girls to their loved ones. In contemporary times, Horsetail embroidery has also found its way into the creation of fashionable high-heels.
-Horsetail embroidered baby-sitting straps
Baby-sitting straps hold great significance within the Shui community and are highly valued as part of Horsetail embroidery. Traditionally, these straps are presented to the young couple by the grandparents upon the birth of their first child.
Horsetail embroidered baby-sitting straps can be likened to “T-shaped curtains” adorned with intricate patterns. Featuring two extended straps, the “curtain” itself is large enough to wrap around a baby. Crafting these straps relies solely on the craftsperson’s experience, with no fixed patterns to follow. Vibrant colors are employed to create vivid patterns, resulting in striking visual effects. Each baby-sitting strap is meticulously designed, reflecting craftsmanship and opulence. Given the extensive time required to complete a strap, it has also become a gauge of a girl’s needlework proficiency. Not only are these straps visually appealing, but they are also durable, making them a prized dowry. Typically, a Shui woman receives only one pair of Horsetail embroidered baby-sitting straps in her lifetime, regardless of changes in marital status. This signifies her family’s desire for a stable and blissful marriage. The straps are traditionally presented to the daughter’s family upon the birth of their first child, symbolizing aspirations for abundance, longevity, and joy in their offspring’s lives.
-Children’s caps
The Horsetail embroidered children’s caps are renowned for their distinctiveness, featuring various decorative patterns. Traditional designs often incorporate silver Buddha motifs and butterfly-shaped bell chains. These patterns have also found their way onto contemporary fashion products.
-Bags and purses
Horsetail embroideries are also widely used on children’s purses, women’s shoulder bags and men’s tobacco pouches.
Embroidery-decorated fashion products
Today, Horsetail embroideries are increasingly integrated into fashion products, offering a diverse range of items in the market. These products are not only elegant and exquisite but also practical in nature. Shui craftspersons now have the flexibility to apply Horsetail embroidery to different items based on customer preferences. They embrace the contemporary trends by incorporating both traditional designs and modern elements like Mickey Mouse and Olympic mascots into their decorative patterns. Moreover, computerized designs are utilized to create intricate and detailed patterns.
